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Voyageurs National Park to take campsite reservations

Published online: Sep 12, 2013News

INTERNATIONAL FALLS - Voyageurs National Park is going to start taking reservations and charging fees for campsites.

Campsites and houseboat sites at the park on Minnesota's northern border had been first-come, first-served, and the only access is by boat. Park officials hope the certainty of a reservation system will bring in new users and revenue.

Voyageurs will start phasing in the reservation system next year for 49 campsites, including 32 on the park's four main lakes, and plans to eventually expand the system to the other 240 sites in the park. Until then, those sites will remain first-come, first served, and free.

Visitors can reserve sites six months in advance, starting in February, online at Recreation.gov or by phone at 877-444-6777. Fees range from $16 to $24 per night.

According to BoatUS, a new survey by Boating Industry magazine found that people who manufacture, sell, repair and store recreational vessels are noting an increasing number of issues due to ethanol-related fuels.

When it comes to recreational boating, we love our access to federal waters. But with problems like lack of funds for ramp/dock maintenance, aging marina infrastructure, and even government will, there can be obstacles to this access.